Taking control right away is your best option. While it might be difficult, you need to make sure you stop missing payments, and that every payment you make shows up on the due date or before. Here are a few tips to help you make all your credit card payments on time, no matter what.
Failing to pay your bills results in late fees, penalties, and interest rate hikes that just won't help. It's vital to pay the minimum every time, and more if you can manage it. While paying the minimum means you'll accrue more interest, it's a lot better than not paying at all.
Talk to your credit card company and find out if they offer a "skip a payment" option. Some companies provide this kind of security net once a year. It lets you skip one payment when problems come up, but it's only available once per year. Because you can only skip one payment, make sure you only use this option when you absolutely need to. Pay attention to costs - this kind of service isn't normally free. Make sure you need to use it before you apply for a waiver.
Credit cards do have their advantages. They make our lives safer and a lot easier by preventing the need to carry cash at all times. They also help when we don't happen to have cash on hand. However, lots of people decide to use their cards for things they know they can't afford. Once the bill shows up, they'll regret that decision, but the damage is done, and they can't make the payment.
The best way to avoid this situation is by using your credit cards with care. Avoid making purchases that you know you can't pay off. Consider every purchase, thinking carefully about whether or not you'll be able to pay off the bill when it gets there. Do this, and you'll be sure to keep your credit score in great condition. You'll be in good standing with the credit bureaus, and you'll be able to borrow more in the future.